Animal cruelty complaint filed
Donnie Biggs
Sandra Cortes, president of Assisi’s Animal Rescue Foundation, right, speaks with Manassas Park residents Natalie Kerns, left, Alyshia Juliano and Ashley George who allegedly filed an animal cruelty complaint with the Prince William County Police Department against Cortes on Sunday.
Officers from the Prince William County Police Department's Animal Control Bureau were at a dog rescue for the better part of Monday after receiving a complaint of animal cruelty that provided police with new information into an ongoing investigation.
Sparking police action was a complaint 18-year-old Ashley George and her mother, Natalie Kerns, filed on what the two described as "filthy" conditions at an animal rescue operated out of a house at 7605 Old Centreville Road.
Although authorities could not confirm the names of the complainants, police spokeswoman 1st Sgt. Kim Chinn said residents who brought a puppy adopted from Assisi's Animal Rescue Foundation to the Western District police station Sunday and filed a complaint.
"We did have an ongoing investigation into this place and that really helped us get in there [Monday]," Chinn said.
Police were in the process of
obtaining search warrants as of mid-afternoon, Chinn said, adding that more information would be available today.
Sandra Cortes, who said she started the rescue 18 years ago ha
operated it from that house since March this year, denied all the accusations.
Standing across the street from the rescue, George and her friend, 18-year-old Adrian Jackson, described the events that led them to Assisi's Animal Rescue Foundation and to filing the complaint.
The two Manassas Park residents said they went to the rescue Sunday after seeing an advertisement by the rescue on the Web site Craigslist.
But what the two saw when they got there was disturbing, they said. Mason, the dog they ended up adopting, was covered in feces and some of the others looked emaciated, George and Jackson said.
After that, the two told George's mom about the situation and went back to the shelter almost immediately.
During that visit, dogs were biting each other and a man kicked a couple of dogs that had gotten into a fight, Kerns claims.
After leaving with Mason, they said they took the dog to the police station and filed a complaint.
The operator of the rescue organization walked across the street to confront Kerns and George minutes after they and arrived to speak with the Potomac News.
"No matter what they say, we do love the dogs," Cortes said. "It's not a puppy mill."
The rescue, she said, takes in dogs from people who surrender their pet to them and from so-called "kill" shelters that euthanize animals.
And, she said, they do not breed dogs or mistreat them.
According to Cortes, animal control and zoning authorities arrived around 10 a.m. and was later given a letter revoking her kennel license.
She said she has been given the option of
surrendering the 96 dogs and puppies or possibly face criminal charges, and wanted to consult those options with her attorney.
One of the red flags Kerns and her daughter noted was that the paperwork they were given provided conflicting information. One, they showed, claimed the dog was a Labrador while the dog's shot record, which they believe is a fake, lists him as a hound mix.
"I actually want them prosecuted," Kerns said, leaning on the hood of her car. "You shouldn't do this."
Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062 or .
Reader Reactions
Ok, we are getting somewhere. I’ve worked for a veterinarian and I am very aware what heartworm can do to a dog. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know what this parasite can do to a dog. Treatment is expensive and can take up to a year. And that’s in the best of cases.
Some cases are so bad it is actually better to put the animal to sleep.
With a place like this “rescue place” it is inevitable all other dogs get infected. The vets working for the animal shelter are looking at the dogs and will decide which dogs will pull through and which are better off being put to sleep. So, in most cases it is not the shelters fault to put them to sleep, but the person who caused this dilemma in the first place.
Heartworm, Parvo, Kennel-Cough are the most common deseases showing up at these “facilities” and somebody who really knows what they are doing would have been aware of that. Every responsible breeder knows this and takes precaution. That’s why their dogs are more expensive and they do have their records straight regarding vet visits.
High-kill shelters is not the word I would use, but somewhere this mass breeding has to stop somewhere. Is it any wonder that we in our society have to use this option, because irresponsible people have made it so bad? But we have to remember that once several breeds were made out to be the devil just because people abused the privilege of their friendship. I am not calling a Rottweiler or Pit-Bull killer dogs as I am also not calling animal shelters kill-shelters. We have to remember that all establishments or even animals are a product of their environment and if we are honest with each other the environment is our society.
I am not affiliated with the rescue and I do agree that “Creative ways and laws that prevent these unscrupulous people to get away with these crimes (and they are crimes) are the best way to solve this problem. “ Puppy mills disgust me, too. I just hate that these poor animals were saved from high kill shelters and now they are back in one. That doesn’t seem to be the best solution. I hope that these animals can survive this.
What is wrong with this “befair” person? Is this another one of these so-called employees or fosters that worked for Cortes?
Another dumb comment and then being condesending to the public! Please, if you are such an intelligent human being, why don’t you come up with a better solution - since you seem to know it all????
Let’s face it: There is something being done shutting done the “money mill” of Cortes and that’s a lot. We’re going to the source of the problem.
Now, we’re stuck with the animals/puppies of her irresponsibility and the food, shelter and care they need. Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and pay for it all.
Guess not, huh? So, an animal shelter can also do so much and they’re certainly squeezing 50 dogs into one cage. High-kill shelter - let’s face it: in the end-effect who created this misery? It’s the people who want to make a profit of creatures that can’t defend themselves - breeding dogs and cats without limits and limitations, creating secret “puppy mills”, because, guess what by Christmas these things are the perfect gift. By Easter they got to go, because they grow and don’t stay little.
Creative ways and laws that prevent these unscrupulous people to get away with these crimes (and they are crimes) are the best way to solve this problem.
I am an animal advocate and the complaining rather than the helping is irritating. After these rescues are released from the “lab” where are they to go? Back to high kill shelters? That is a criome after they were given a second chance. I want suggestions rather than nonsense rambling.
GIVE THE ANIMALS BACK!??? WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR SOCIETY?. NO ANIMAL SHALL LIVE THE WAY THESE ANIMALS DID. YES IT WAS A PUPPY MILL. definition A dirty, trashy place where one or several breeds of dogs are kept in deplorable conditions with little or no medical care and puppies are always available?
Obviously these dogs were not medicated. So please STOP standing up for this woman AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! for all of you who are standing up for her are jus PITIFULL, DISTURBING HUMAN BEINGS.
LOL! I just realized “the red flag” that a dog’s breed was misrepresented. This is not a puppy mill. Can you say mixed breed??? An educated guess is all that you can make when it comes to determining breeds and opinions will vary. If those dogs are euthanized I will be furious because that is the crime! Give them back.
I am an avid animal advocate and this is not fair. These animals were faced with certain death and the shelter saved their lives. Stop complaining and volunteer. I did learn something from this~I will not be so quick to judge others. Assisi saved those animals and they need to be given back.
Posted by ( past rescue worker with Assisis ) on May 09, 2008 at 5:22 pm “As a matter a fact I understand the so called “heroes” Ashley George and her mother, Natalie Kerns didn’t even pay for the pet they adopted”
May I ask have you taken the time to read all post on this forum and the other? Cause if you did then you would not have posted this and wasted my time in reading your silly post please make sure to always read EVERYONE’S post prior to replying. Thank you.
“I can also say that sometimes paperwork looks as if it does have conflicting information when you have a breed listed by the vet as hound dog but by appearance the dog looks like a lab. How can someone wanting a hound looking dog adopt a lab looking dog just because it’s papers say it’s a hound?“
Ok call us dumb but we wanted a pit-bull which is exactly what we got. So on Masons papers from Assisi it should have stated Pit Bull or American Pit Bull Terrier/ American Staffordshire Terrier I have nothing to hide in owning a pit bull and am not shamed in saying I own a pit bull what’s even funny is BJ and Sandra both said he was a Pit Bull. I asked many times while at the rescue for his medical transcripts or even for the name of the shelter he was at prior to Assisi taken over him and was told he came from N. Carolina then BJ said S .Carolina then on Monday May 05, Sandra said he was born at her location when I asked again for his medical history and asked for the name of the Vet so I could take him there she said she was having all medical files sealed. So we started Mason fresh with a New Vet. What was on his papers we got from Sandra is not the main concern and is something we never brought up again the reason it was even brought up was because of other issues we had which brought up many red flags I am now aware that many breeders, sellers call pit bulls different names for homeowners who are not allowed to own pit bulls which is up to them how they handle that but to us He is a Pit bull and we are proud to say we own two beautiful pit bulls. I can see why this investigation has been on going for so long because the people who do report this woman end up getting harassed and are scared to get involved in her prosecution therefore what do the authorities have to go on if they do not have eye witnesses? I am sure they could find other things to prosecute her but eye witnesses with proof helps build a good case. People need to stand up against her please rest assured that THIS woman will not place an ounce of fear in Myself ,Daughter and my daughter friend we are not ones to come forward with false information and try to get someone in trouble for no reason we presented our proof along with Mason at the time we filed the compliant it is not like we went in there with nothing in hand and they said “LETS GET HER” I assure you when the time comes ALL facts and proof will be presented and the ones protecting Sandra, BJ will consider next time taking the time to investigate who they protect .I believe justice will prevail in this case and Sandra will come to see the light one day and Many of you will owe an apology to My Daughter and her friend and Thank them for being the strong young adults they are. In addition, to anyone else who has true information with actual proof I ask you to gather all you have and bring it to the authorities and stand up to this woman as we have done what’s the worst that can happen? You’re saving animals so they never end up in her possession again. Look at it this way “YOU are the voice of the unheard the one’s who can not speak” The same goes for the children who are abused and can not speak” YOU are their voices”
Pawprints I have tried to be as upfront and honest and as clear with you about this case as any normal human can be but it seems the truth hurts you for some reason Your defending a person who had over 100+ animals on 3 acres of land. Prince William county only allows 4 animals and to me that’s “cruel” to have that many animals in such a small area. Now you can say all these animals were healthy, happy, clean, say as you feel to make yourself happy, but understand when the authorities make public statements they are not going to risk lying and risk many law suits Sandra could file. Therefore the Authorities aren’t lying. You feel as if “EVERYONE” is after Sandra because you try and defend her after almost everyone’s post. I did not even know her until Sunday “hint” Wait I guess I should not make you have to think harder than you have to I am the Mother of Ashley George who you made a NASTY post about and I am calling you out on it How dare you say such a lie when my daughter and her friend had the animals best interest at heart. You said my daughter Stole the dog well in your words “By the way the young girl, Ashley George, stold the dog from the home” That is the most ignorant statement that you could have made which will come back and bite you in the butt soon enough. In addition, you said, “They were questioned by the police and it was clear there was a contract, but the money was never paid.” I have to wonder what her motives are? Well you will hear it from the horses mouth. YES we got the puppy Sunday from Sandra Cortes. YES the puppy was Filthy. YES we went to the police to report her sorry behind AND YES we had a contract to return Tuesday to pay the $300.00. But guess what happened! THE ANIMALS WERE GIVEN to Animal Control officers and are now property of Prince William County. Sandra did try and say the puppy did not belong to us. The state prosecutor and a officer for the Animal control asked the young man to come over, as he did with the puppy, and showed them the papers showing we got the puppy from Sandra. Even my Daughter (the thief as you call her) went over and then guess who else went over ME HER MOTHER! They took pictures of Mason because guess what! They had to document his condition (Bad authorities for documenting such) Shame on them for building a case and guess what THE STATE ASSISTANT prosecutor as well as Officer Shetley stated the puppy is the property of Prince William County but turned it over to us because we adopted him (Shouldn’t you know this I mean you were RIGHT There) Want more facts? I can keep going ALL DAY AND NIGHT with this…Oh and you asked what my daughters motive was WELL it was to adopt a puppy and provide it with love and care as her and her friend are doing (Shocker there really are people who loves animals. When it comes to animals, we will call out ANYONE who is not doing what’s best for an animal. My daughter nor her friend, and I NEVER knew Sandra before this or even heard her name until Sunday and from that day on. And pawprints I hope this comment was not about My daughter or her friend “I was there and watched the whole mess come down. What I saw was a young girl and young man standing outside the house screeming foul words and throwing rocks, one that hit the police car.” If that was the case then why was it that “WE” let the police know their car was hit by a rock which came from the fence behind where you state you were standing? Pawprints try this do go to Washingtondc.craiglist.org and look in the pet section and you might find out a lot about this woman (Wait ALL these posters are lying) Right Pawprints? Wait I know try
“http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/consumers/index.shtml
Well I mean it’s only a Charitable Organization Database (you think they are lying to make Sandra look bad too?) Wow what is this world coming to EVERYONE is AGAINST Sandra Cortes. One last thing Pawprints I do agree with one thing you posted “The dogs were on the news today and they didn’t look sick and dying to me. They look as though they were being taking care of to me.” WOW could that be because they are being taken care of BY THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER! And pawprints since you want to try and call people out like “ShutdownAssisi” you said “Even the name you are using so no onw will know who you are tells the story” I will call you out Pawprints who are you??? pawprints because you seem to know Sandra could you please let her know we love and cherish Mason very very much and he is getting the proper care he needs and deserves as all animals do. I am sorry to all you readers who had to read all this but Pawprints you must accept the fact you are lying to all these readers and it’s a shame and your defending a women who in time will have to answer to a higher power. untill next time pawprints I shall await your reply.
as far as the teenagers throwing rocks at the cops ... thats quite hilarious since they were the ones who ran over and told the police that a rock had hit their car and had to make ANOTHER statement to them..
can you please stop posting your lies .. its quite obvious that you have a severe mental illness..i hope when they put you in jail they also recomend psyicatric help!
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